Letters to the editor: Some men still deny women’s rights

Responding to a commentary by Richard Traynor in the Portland Press Herald on Sept. 4: Another View, “U.S. will eventually restore right to life for the unborn.”

I am not a woman, but it is sad to think that men like Mr. Traynor not only wish to take away all women’s rights achieved since the Middle Ages, when women had essentially no rights at all, but they always claim that this is what God intends, and what the U.S. Constitution intends, and so on.

Additional Photos

An abortion rights opponent protests in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington. A reader says many who think life begins at conception want to force that belief on everyone. The Associated Press

It is revealing that he quotes: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Doesn’t even mention women.

The Constitution was a great document, but we have progressed in the past two centuries. We should substitute the word “people” for men.

If all people were created equal, as should be so in America, why would all women not have the same rights over their own bodies as Mr. Traynor does?

During this election year, we hear endless assertions from Republicans like Mr. Traynor about the rights of the unborn.

I am a veteran. I spent five years on active duty during the Vietnam War as a pilot. I love my country. But perhaps I am confused. I thought it was founded on principles of religious, political and other freedoms.

I can’t understand why Mr. Traynor and many other American men think that their religious beliefs about life beginning at conception should stifle those of myself and the majority of women in this country.

That is not all people being created equal. That is Mr. Traynor and others like him believing they are more equal than the rest of us, and that their beliefs should be legally forced on the rest of us.

What ideal could be more un-American than that?

Jay Norwalk

Newcastle

Spread of wind power produces health worries

I support and agree with the information you printed about how wind turbines affect us here in Maine. Many people I know now feel the same way after learning the real facts about wind turbines. One particular fact that I’m sure many can relate to is that my energy bill has increased and seems to continue to rise. That really worries me.

But what really worries me is being forced to live near them. For the past few years, we have lived in fear of wind turbines being erected on the mountains above our home, just 1.5 miles away.

After researching wind turbines myself, I’ve found startling facts about the effects they have on our health especially if you live near them. I’ve also talked with some residents of Maine who are already dealing with the health effects of wind turbines. It is torture to them even at 1.5 miles away. After speaking with two doctors about the effects they could have on my family’s nervous systems, I feel we would be forced to abandon our home if they are erected here.

My own nervous system is already fragile from dealing with Lyme disease, and one of my sons also has a health condition that would be affected by the frequencies of wind turbines.

I’ve thought of selling my home many times before they erect them here, but my area is a tough place to sell, and honestly I love my home and really don’t want to leave. I wouldn’t know where to go even if I sold my home since wind turbine projects are threatening a majority of Maine’s mountains. I pray that the truth comes out, and they never go up here or anywhere else.

Heidi Emery

Highland Plantation

Actions of lawmakers scare citizen into campaigning

All it takes to get me involved is a good dose of fear. The behavior of our state Legislature and our governor has made me scared enough to get off the sidelines.

I don’t want vulnerable Mainers (seniors and disabled adults included) to lose the services they need to sustain themselves. I don’t want women’s rights set back by refighting battles already decided. I want the middle class to be valued and strengthened.

They may be a little more polite than our governor, but the changes that special interest groups are pushing in the presidential campaign (and how they are doing it) are even more frightening. I haven’t lost all hope though.

Getting involved in my local legislative race for Jeremy Saxton (House District 64) and in the national presidential race as a member of the Maine Grandmothers for Obama Postcard Project have both been extremely satisfying and positive.

I encourage others who may be “sitting this one out,” or who say “I don’t vote,” to get involved. Please.

You can find out more through your area campaign headquarters or by visiting Facebook pages for any candidate and for Maine Women for Obama.

Jay McCreight

Harpswell

Ending federal disaster aid could help cut the deficit

After hearing so much from the Republicans about the need to reduce the federal deficit, I have a suggestion for them as to how to start: Let the states pick up the tab for the cost of natural disasters, and not utilize federal money for such purposes.

For instance, Louisiana should pay for the damage done there by Hurricane Isaac. The Dakotas and Nebraska should pay for the cost of the drought to their economy. They are all red states and should appreciate the message of Paul Ryan to reduce the deficit by eliminating various federal expenses and putting them upon the shoulders of the states.

However, the feds should also not pay for the damage done in Colorado, a blue state, from its forest fires. It is only “fair” that such costs should fall upon every state in this regard, in order for the feds not to discriminate as they spend less of our “hard-earned” tax money for such purposes.

Unfortunately I have not yet heard the Republicans make this suggestion as a specific way of attacking the deficit. I wonder why?

Reduce the population of coyotes enough to make a temporary difference, and those remaining will produce more pups to fill the loss in numbers. If the governor had asked the state biologists, they would have told him this.

Here at MaineToday Media we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion.

To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use. Click here to flag and report a comment that violates our terms of use.